“He was very surprised when he found out how old she was,” Lowery said. “Throughout the investigation he has been honest and takes full responsibility for his actions.”

Prosecutors said the teen may have been a willing participant, but is not old enough to consent to sexual activity.

Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department investigators say Salto picked up the girl on multiple occasions and at least once in front of her middle school. Her parents told police they were not aware she was meeting with Salto.

Leiber pointed out that Salto has a conviction from one year prior to his arrest in this case for inappropriately touching a 10-year-old girl at a home in Wyoming in 2012.

Leiber said Salto should have been particularly concerned about meeting his "date" in front of a middle school.

Leiber told Salto society is threatened by his predilection for sexual conduct with very young girls and ordered him to undergo therapy to treat pedophilia. Leiber sentenced Salto at the highest end of the state sentencing guidelines – anything higher could have resulted a reason for appeal.

“I just want to say I’m sorry,” Salto told the court in his only statement made on the record.